Bandi Mbubi: Demand a fair trade cell phone

The speaker shares a personal story of fleeing the Congo and highlights the paradox of technology, particularly mobile phones, which rely on tantalum mined in the Congo. This mineral's extraction has fueled conflict and human suffering, yet the same technology enables global communication and political change. The speaker calls for fair-trade practices in technology to prevent further suffering and promote ethical sourcing.

What personal experience does the speaker share at the beginning of the talk?

• Their experience as a mobile phone designer.

• Their career as a technology expert.

• Their journey as an asylum-seeker from the Congo.

• Their role in the UK government.

What mineral, crucial for mobile phones, is mined in the Congo?

• Silver

• Copper

• Tantalum

• Gold

How has the extraction of coltan affected the Congo?

• It has improved global health rankings.

• It has reduced poverty levels.

• It has caused significant human suffering.

• It has led to economic prosperity.

What paradox does the speaker highlight about mobile phones?

• They are both outdated and modern.

• They are both tools of freedom and oppression.

• They are both durable and fragile.

• They are both expensive and affordable.

How has technology helped bring attention to the situation in the Congo?

• By improving the quality of mobile phones.

• By reducing the cost of mining.

• By increasing the demand for coltan.

• By enabling communication and awareness.

What recent actions have been taken to address the issues in the Congo?

• The Congo has banned all mining activities.

• Mobile phone companies have stopped using coltan.

• The US and UK have passed legislation targeting misconduct.

• The UN has taken over the mining industry.

What does the speaker urge us to demand in relation to mobile phones?

• Longer battery life

• Fair-trade phones

• More advanced technology

• Cheaper phones